Point Loma Nazarene University Social Work Programs

Social work professionals with a Master’s degree earn an average of $79,318 annually, about $10,000-$15,000 more than their Bachelor’s degree counterparts. Point Loma Nazarene University’s Social Work Programs can prepare you for this rewarding career field, which experts project to grow 7% through 2033.

Point Loma Nazarene’s social work education offers both undergraduate and graduate paths to serve others with integrity. The university’s programs include over 60 undergraduate majors, and their social work offerings rank in the top 45% nationally. The annual tuition runs approximately $44,000, but more than 90% of undergraduates receive scholarships from a $40 million yearly fund. PLNU’s social work graduate programs give you flexible completion options – 12-24 months for full-time students or 3-4 years for working professionals. The MSW program prepares you for licensure across the United States and Canada, which substantially expands your career opportunities.

Types Social Work Degrees Offered at Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University provides two unique social work degree paths that set you up for professional success at different levels. Each program gives you specific skills and knowledge you need in the field.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program combines theory with action-oriented classes to develop your abilities to promote social and economic justice. This undergraduate degree teaches you to serve others while implementing social work practices in systems of all sizes. This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which emphasizes service-oriented, evidence-based learning. The curriculum has courses in sociology, psychology, biology, and economic theory, with specialized knowledge in child welfare, policy, and human behavior.

Advanced opportunities await in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program that trains you to become an advanced generalist. The MSW curriculum focuses on:

• Clinical and community-based social work
• Advanced research and policy creation
• Leadership development and team oversight

The MSW program also has four optional concentrations that line up with your career goals:

• Clinical Practice
• Medical Social Work
• Child Welfare
• Community Advocacy and Program Administration

Students find great value in the advanced standing option for qualified applicants. You become eligible for the accelerated one-year, 33-credit program if you’ve completed a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work within the last five years. This option uses your undergraduate education and helps you earn your MSW in about half the usual time.

The MSW curriculum can lead to Clinical Social Work licensure throughout the United States and Canada. This expands your employment opportunities significantly. PLNU’s application for CSWE accreditation for the MSW program will be reviewed on June 1, 2025, with potential retroactive accreditation to Fall 2025.

Degree Specializations

PLNU’s social work education goes beyond basic training to give you specialized paths that match your career goals. The well-laid-out curriculum helps you prepare for specific careers in social work.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program gives you the specialized knowledge in several key areas. You’ll become skilled at child welfare, policy analysis, race and ethnicity studies, and human behavior in social environments. This comprehensive education helps you practice social work with individuals and communities alike.

MSW students can choose from four unique concentrations that match their career goals:

• Clinical Practice – Focuses on understanding trauma, evidence-based therapy techniques, and mental health treatment
• Medical Social Work – Combines trauma education with sociology of aging and specialized medical social work training
• Child Welfare – Emphasizes trauma comprehension, child welfare systems, and mental health treatment approaches
• Community Advocacy and Program Administration – Centers on community organization and problem-solving skills

The undergraduate program’s 400-hour internship requirement stands out. Each practicum matches your interests and connects classroom theory with hands-on experience. You’ll test theories and principles in ground settings under experienced social workers’ supervision.

PLNU’s bachelor’s program CSWE accreditation adds value—it’s a chance to get advanced standing in MSW programs. This status lets you use your undergraduate degree to earn a master’s in about one year instead of two.

Your career options vary based on your specialty. You could work in child and family services, education, counseling, medical settings, rehabilitation, community development, human trafficking intervention, policy development, or international affairs. PLNU graduates now serve as social service managers, community specialists, administrative supervisors, and mental health workers in organizations like New Alternatives Incorporated and Alpha Project for the Homeless.

Online and Hybrid Options

Point Loma Nazarene University’s social work programs understand the needs of modern life by offering flexible learning options. The Master of Social Work program uses a well-planned hybrid format that combines in-person evening classes with online asynchronous learning. This structure lets you keep your important life commitments while getting a quality education.

The hybrid MSW program delivers both flexibility and community benefits. You’ll get personal attention, build strong relationships with faculty, and take part in field placements that match your career goals. The program creates a tight-knit learning environment while working with different schedules.

Working professionals find the hybrid format particularly useful. Classes take place on-site in the evening, and you can complete most coursework remotely when it suits you. This setup helps you handle work, family, and other commitments while pursuing your education.

PLNU’s approach to online education goes beyond the MSW program. The university runs several undergraduate and graduate online programs specifically created for working professionals. These flexible formats help you manage personal responsibilities while growing academically, professionally, and spiritually.

A student shares: “The flexibility of the online program was what really attracted me to Point Loma Nazarene University. I travel a lot for work and occasionally have conferences on weekends. With the online format, I can travel wherever, do my homework on the airplane, and it’s just so much better for my schedule”.

PLNU programs offer more than just flexibility. They give you chances to get hands-on experience and build professional networks that set you apart after graduation. This practical approach ensures quality and career preparation remain strong while offering convenience.

Graduation Rates

Point Loma Nazarene University shows remarkable academic success through its graduation metrics. The university’s 73% six-year graduation rate puts it among the top 25% of colleges nationwide. This is a big deal as it means that PLNU students graduate at much higher rates than the national average of 46.43% for full-time students.

Students looking for the quickest way to complete their degree will find PLNU’s numbers encouraging. The four-year graduation rate hits 65%, placing PLNU in the top 20% nationally. The rate climbs to 74% after eight years, showing the university’s steadfast dedication to helping students graduate.

PLNU’s 84% retention rate ranks in the top 25% nationally. These numbers prove the quality of education and student support services. Students who want to think over PLNU programs will see these figures as clear signs of success.

Social work programs at PLNU have limited published data, yet the results look promising. Back in 2012, 100% of graduating social work students took a sample Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. All but one of these students scored above 60% with an average score of 70. On top of that, students who finished their final internship and seminar created professional portfolios with proper resumes.

PLNU students typically earn their bachelor’s degree in 4.09 years, which shows how well the university guides students to graduation. Different demographic groups show varying success rates. Asian students lead with 78% graduation rate, followed by international students at 80%, white students at 75%, and multi-ethnic students at 74%.

The numbers paint a clear picture for anyone thinking about PLNU’s social work program. A freshman retention rate of 86.1% in 2024 highlights the unmatched educational experience and supportive environment that helps students thrive in PLNU’s social work programs.

Career Outcomes

PLNU social work graduates start their careers with solid earning potential. Their early career earnings average around $44,000, which matches expectations given the university’s diverse major offerings.

PLNU makes sure students get the support they need to transition from classroom to career. Students can tap into many career development resources like on-campus job banks, career fairs, employer recruitment events, and personalized job placement help. Career counseling sessions, both group and one-on-one, help students direct their professional growth.

The success story of PLNU social work graduates speaks for itself. 100% of students who finished their final internship and seminar turned in portfolios with job-ready resumes that met entry-level requirements. Many PLNU social work graduates have earned spots in prominent Masters programs across the country, including Duke University, Columbia University, University of North Carolina, and University of Southern California.

Your education level shapes your career options. A Bachelor’s degree can lead to roles like child welfare specialist (median salary: $48,430) or human service assistant (average salary: $48,880).

An MSW degree unlocks higher-paying specialized positions. Healthcare social workers earn median annual salaries of $62,760, which jumps to $72,980 in hospital settings. Social workers in government positions at federal, state, or local levels earn $94,260 yearly. Other rewarding paths include social service manager positions (median salary: $77,030) and substance abuse counselor roles (median salary: $53,710).

PLNU social work programs give you the flexibility to choose from various career paths. Your PLNU education prepares you to make real impact while earning competitive pay in this growing field, whether you choose clinical work with families or tackle broader community systems.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University social work programs stand out because of their faith-integrated approach to professional education. The programs naturally combine Christian values with evidence-based practice. This creates a unique learning environment where service to others becomes both a professional calling and spiritual practice.

The university’s social work education goes beyond technical skills. Faculty members guide students through a transformative educational experience that shapes their intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of professional practice. This all-encompassing approach helps students succeed in their careers and tackle complex social challenges effectively.

We focused on a justice-oriented point of view that sets these programs apart from clinical approaches. PLNU gives you the tools to analyze and address systemic inequities affecting vulnerable populations. This steadfast dedication to social justice shows in classroom discussions and field experiences.

The programs’ community-centered learning model adds another distinctive element. Strategic collaborations with local organizations help students gain real practice experience and build professional networks. Many students find employment opportunities through these connections after graduation.

Small class sizes make these programs special. Classes typically have fewer than 20 students per cohort. Students receive customized instruction and direct feedback that larger programs cannot offer. Faculty members know each student personally and align mentoring with specific career goals.

The programs also excel in their global outlook. Students learn about international approaches to social welfare while focusing on local practice. This opens doors to cross-cultural involvement opportunities.

PLNU’s social work programs combine professional excellence, faith integration, and community connection. This unique blend prepares students for immediate employment and lasting leadership roles in promoting social well-being.